Sometimes You Have to Step Back Before You Can Move Forward.

This blog has been quiet for about three weeks. I just had to step back before I could move forward.

Just like in the game of Monopoly, life sometimes forces us to take a few steps backward before we can move forward.

Since my last blog post, my days have been filled with graduation celebrations, various home projects, vacation planning, dealing with a car repair, and a trip to Canada to be with a family member during and after his surgery. Instead of blogging, my recent free time has been spent doing some on-line course work and listening to some writing/blogging on-line seminars. Despite not publishing anything recently, I have been getting some new ideas for posts and ways to make some improvements to this blog. I hope you will stay tuned!

I'm excited to announce that a previous post of mine has been published today on another website.  It first appeared here, but now my article about blog buttons can be found on Beyond Your Blog, retitled there as "How-To Tips For Blog Buttons."  Even if you read the original version, I encourage you to visit the Beyond Your Blog website and see the wealth of information it offers to writers and bloggers. In fact, I recently completed their e-course Submission Savvy and learned a lot from it.  I feel honored that my article was worthy of being published on that site.

For the remainder of the summer, my blog post publishing schedule may remain sporadic, but  hopefully a little more frequent than over the past month.

Today is American Independence Day and Friday was Canada's 149th birthday.  Happy July 4th to all of my American readers and a belated Happy Canada Day to all Canadians! As we celebrate these milestones, current events remind us that our world is still far from perfect.

I truly hope that someday we will all celebrate an International holiday marking an annual celebration of worldwide peace.

Did you do anything fun this past weekend?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

Red, White, and Blue. Add an Easy Patriotic Touch to Any Treat!

I have a little tip for adding an easy patriotic or festive touch to almost any dessert.  A simple homemade red, white, and blue candy garnish can make any dessert more American, or you can use the colors of whatever country/event/club/organization that you are celebrating.

Treats such as cherry pie, strawberry-rhubarb pie, a flag cake, or red, white, and blue muffins are always a hit on an American holiday such as Memorial Day, July 4th or Labor Day. 

However, you are not limited by these choices. You can make almost any dessert special for the occasion with a quick little candy treat. Cakes, pies, cookies, and bars can all be made patriotic and festive with them, and you can even place a candy garnish or two gently on the top of a pudding or custard (or on a plate beside them.)

I decorated individual servings of white chocolate mousse with snowflake candy decorations for a fancy winter party.

Even if you buy a dessert instead of making one, you can make it more special with this decorating trick!

How to Make Candy Garnishes for Desserts

All that you need is a few minutes and: